Explorations of Modern Parenting

Parenting is typically described in terms of behavioral dimensions (e.g., support, control) and typological classifications of parenting styles (i.e., authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, neglectful). In recent decades, several modern parenting styles have also emerged. These styles (e.g., free-range, helicopter, intensive, mindful) are evident in popular culture including books, magazines, and social media, and may best be understood by a combination of behavioral components and the parental cognitions underlying those behaviors. Parenting is often considered integral to the experience of childhood, but modern parents navigate continual advice and pressures about parenting that may lead to poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and parental burnout. Some modern parenting styles, such as intensive mothering, have been associated with higher levels of depression and stress, but most remain understudied. This three-part dissertation begins with a literature review that situated modern parenting within foundational parenting frameworks. Next, a two-part latent profile analysis was used to a) identify traditional parenting styles using only traditional behavioral measures and b) identify modern parenting styles using a combination of traditional measures and parenting cognitions. This work’s final section regressed maternal mental health outcomes of depression, anxiety, stress, and parental burnout on the identified modern parenting profiles. Modern parenting styles are similar to, but not the same as, traditional styles. Many modern parenting styles are identified mainly through parental cognitions, as confirmed by the latent profile analysis. The first model, based on traditional measures, revealed four profiles, three of which resembled traditional parenting styles. The second model, which included parental cognitions, further delineated parenting styles into five profiles, authoritative, authoritarian, good enough, free-range, and intensive. Regression results indicated intensive mothers had higher levels of anxiety and stress, while authoritarian mothers had higher stress and burnout compared to other styles. Taken together, it is evident that parental cognition plays an important role in identifying modern parenting approaches and that some modern parenting styles (e.g., intensive mothering) have potential implications for maternal mental health. Modern parenting styles require further research and should be considered in future parenting research. Maternal mental health deserves attention throughout the lifespan.